MTV.com is calling it the summer’s biggest fish out of water moment, imagine the surprise — rather the shock, awe and dismay — as megastars and Hollywood’s richest couple Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Beyonce, and sister Solange, took a seat next to Brooklyn hipsters at last weekend’s Free Williamsburg show featuring Grizzly Bear.
Why on earth would the King of Hip Hop and his wife the pop multi-hyphenate enjoy the vocalistic stylings of the indie rock band? Well, first, because they’re musicians. And second, they enjoy good music.
“I don’t understand why people are always surprised to see me at shows! I’ve always said that I believe in good music and bad music, so I’m always at those type of events. I like music.” Jay-Z told MTV when asked about his spontaneous appearance that he had everyone doing a doubletake.
I first heard about their appearance via Twitter — I knew it was going to a topic of much discussion the next day.
Let’s get the elephant out of the room right away: many African American’s appreciate music outside of our culture. Its a stereotype if you assume I only listen to hip-hop and rap. I can tell you right now, I’ve got Boston and Talking Heads on heavy rotation for no good reason other than the fact is, I simply LOVE music. I have purchased tickets to Passion Pit because I cannot get one melody out of my head long enough to appreciate another, and Florence + The Machines “Dog Days” was introduced to me recently when I pulled up with friends to a popular Hollywood nightclub as a friend (who was the driver) made valet wait until the very last note was sung to get out of the car. I appreciate rock, classical and indie, hardcore and metal. I appreciate great sounds.
“I’m all over the place because of my taste in music,” he continued while talking to the music network.
Well Mr. Carter … so am I.
Yes! I know he has an album to push, but can we please let the man, his wife and sister-in-law appreciate fine music outside of their own without pigeonholing their tastes? ‘Cause at the end of the day, they agree with most of us, Grizzly Bear totally rocks!
Photo credit: brooklynvegan.com.